(n.)
The act or process of resolving the constituent parts of a compound body or substance into its elementary parts; separation into constituent part; analysis; the decay or dissolution consequent on the removal or alteration of some of the ingredients of a compound; disintegration; as, the decomposition of wood, rocks, etc.

decomposition\de*com`po*si"tion\ (?), n. [pref. de- (in sense 3 intensive) + composition: cf. f. décomposition. cf. decomposition.]1. the act or process of resolving the constituent parts of a compound body or substance into its elementary parts; separation into constituent part; analysis; the decay or dissolution consequent on the removal or alteration of some of the ingredients of a compound; disintegration; as, the decomposition of wood, rocks, etc.2. the state of being reduced into original elements.3. repeated composition; a combination of compounds. [obs.]decomposition of forces. same as resolution of forces , under resolution.decomposition of light, the division of light into the prismatic colors.decomposition n1. the analysis of a vector field [syn: vector decomposition]

2. in a decomposed state [syn: disintegration]

3. (chemistry) chemical separation of a substance into two or more substances that may differ from each other and from the original substance [syn: decomposition reaction]

Say it Compare with synthesis . A reaction in which a compound is broken down into simpler compounds or elements. Compounds sometimes decompose if heated strongly or if subjected to a strong electric current (electrolysis ).

conversion of organic matter as a result of microbial and/or enzymatic interactions; initial stage in the degradation of an organic substrate, characterized by processes of destabilization of the pre-existing structure.

Agricultural Glossary/yigini2004

- conversion of organic matter as a result of microbial and/or enzymatic interactions; initial stage in the degradation of an organic substrate, characterized by processes of destabilization of the pre-existing structure.

Deficiency symptom. A result, including slow plant growth, chlorosis or necrosis, caused by the lack of a plant essential element.

Decomposition (or rotting) is the process by which organic substances are broken down into simpler forms of matter. The process is essential for recycling the finite matter that occupies physical space in the biome. Bodies of living organisms begin to decompose shortly after death. Although no two organisms decompose in the same way, they all undergo the same sequential stages of decomposition. The science which studies decomposition is generally referred to as taphonomy from the Greek word τάφος taphos, meaning tomb.